Rolled chestnut and cherry pavlova recipe

Chestnut and cherry rolled pavlova. Photo by Babiche Martens.

You can't beat a pavlova on Christmas Day, and this rolled chestnut and cherry version is not only visually gorgeous but so light it will melt in your mouth. Remember don't discard the egg yolks, they will be useful for making aioli, or maybe hollandaise for Boxing Day brunch.

Ingredients

Pavlova

6	egg whites
1 ¼ cups	caster sugar
2 tsp	vanilla
1 Tbsp	white vinegar
1 Tbsp	cornflour

Filling

300ml	cream, lightly whipped
150g	chestnut puree
½ cup	chestnuts, roughly chopped (optional)
2 Tbsp	kirsch (or other liqueur)
½ cup	grated white chocolate
Extra white chocolate, chestnuts and cherries	to garnish
Icing sugar	to dust

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 160C. Line a 20cm x 30cm swiss roll tin with baking paper. Place another piece of paper on a tea towel and dust with icing sugar for when the pavlova is cooked.
2. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the sugar in two lots, then add the vanilla, vinegar and cornflour, beating through slowly. Spread the meringue on the paper and place into the oven for 25 minutes until firm to the touch.
3. Tip it on to the prepared baking paper and roll loosely with the paper and towel. Set aside until ready to fill.
4. To fill the pavlova, combine the cream with the chestnut puree, chestnuts, kirsch and grated chocolate. Unroll the pavlova gently, fill with cream and place on your serving platter. Refrigerate until needed.
5. Serve with shards of white chocolate, cherries, chestnuts and a good dusting of icing sugar.